Toll the Hounds
Chapters - Steven Erikson
Prologue
Two dead dog walkers observe Edgewalker meeting a hooded stranger, joined by Shadowthrone and the Hounds of Shadow, in a dusty deserted town. Within Dragnipur, the wizard Ditch struggles to pull the chains binding him to the great wagon as the storm of Chaos draws nearer, while Apsal'ara, Lady of Thieves, works relentlessly to saw through her chains. On the Laederon Plateau, a god-touched three-legged dog departs an Uryd village, followed by two Teblor girls. Kruppe sits before a lone fire beneath an empty sky and is joined by the Elder God K'rul, who declares he is not in the coming war but is its prize. A gaunt, grey-haired bard joins them, and Kruppe begins to tell a story.
On page: Shadowthrone, Kruppe, K'rul, Apsal'ara, Mistress of Thieves, Ditch, Fisher kel Tath·Mentioned: Draconus
Book 1: Vow to the Sun
Chapter 1
Challice, now Lady Vidikas, attends the Gedderone Fete in Darujhistan with her contemptuous husband Gorlas Vidikas and later resolves to sell her old jewellery, seeking change. Picker, Antsy, and Bluepearl each survive assassination attempts by the Assassins' Guild contracted against the retired Bridgeburners, their old combat instincts proving more than a match for the attackers. At the Phoenix Inn, Murillio is stabbed through the chest by a drunken suitor during an ill-advised liaison, and Kruppe sends for Coll while recruiting Scorch and Leff into a debt-collecting enterprise. The Bridgeburners gather at K'rul's Bar to work out who wants them dead, and Mallet leaves with Bluepearl to heal Murillio. Baruk reads an ancient history given to him by Anomander Rake and receives a visit from the Great Raven Crone, who delivers Rake's offer of covert assistance, before news arrives that something has escaped the Finnest House.
On page: Challice, Gorlas Vidikas, Picker, Antsy, Blend, Mallet, Murillio, Kruppe, Scorch, Leff, Coll, Baruk, Crone, Bluepearl·Mentioned: Spindle, Anomander Rake, Rallick Nom, Silanah
Chapter 2
Life returns to Black Coral under Tiste Andii rule, with Endest Silann serving as castellan despite being drained by his ordeal keeping Moon's Spawn aloft. Spinnock Durav plays Kef Tanar with Seerdomin at the Scour Tavern, their friendship sustained by Seerdomin's refusal to hide his past service to the Pannion Seer. Nimander Golit and his companions emerge from Kurald Galain with Clip, who intends a confrontation with Anomander Rake, while Clip privately assesses each of them with contempt. Seerdomin makes his daily pilgrimage to the Great Barrow of the Redeemer, where a young woman names him the Benighted, a title and responsibility he furiously rejects. Endest Silann recalls the catastrophe of the Kharkanas civil war and Anomander's instruction to hold until a final day of betrayal. Spinnock visits Rake, who asks about Assail and declines to replace him, then encounters a troubled Endest in the palace hallway. At a street restaurant, humans plot against the Tiste Andii while Seerdomin observes from another table and follows them.
On page: Endest Silann, Spinnock Durav, Seerdomin, Nimander Golit, Clip, Skintick, Anomander Rake, Silanah, Salind, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss·Mentioned: Korlat, Mother Dark
Chapter 3
A Trygalle Trade Guild carriage crashes into a Darujhistan street, disgorging Master Quell, Faint, and their surviving shareholders. At the Phoenix Inn, Kruppe learns Murillio will recover and promises to discover who contracted the Assassins' Guild. Scorch and Leff patrol the docks for fleeing debtors. Gruntle arrives at the city leading Sirik's fire-charred caravan, the dead drivers obeying his commands, and demands payment. Spite's ship docks bearing Cutter, Scillara, Barathol Mekhar, Chaur, Mappo, Iskaral Pust, and Mogora from Seven Cities. Barathol bids farewell to Mappo, who departs alone. Rallick Nom awakens in the Finnest House and re-enters the city. Torvald Nom arrives and is immediately caught by Scorch and Leff as a debtor. Humble Measure, owner of Eldra Iron Mongers and enemy of the Malazan Empire, learns his Guild assassination attempt on the Bridgeburners has failed.
On page: Kruppe, Mallet, Scorch, Leff, Gruntle, Spite, Crokus Younghand, Scillara, Barathol Mekhar, Chaur, Iskaral Pust, Mogora, Torvald Nom, Rallick Nom, Murillio, Mappo Runt
Chapter 4
A shipwrecked man carrying the sword Vengeance survives a bear attack on a desolate coast, eats the animal's heart, and sets out inland. Nimander Golit leads his Tiste Andii group through overgrown ruins while plagued by the taunting voice of his dead sister Phaed, until they discover fields of corpses staked upright feeding alien plants with a black fluid called kelyk. A priest of the Dying God welcomes them to the town of Morsko, and Clip forbids anyone from drinking anything. Seerdomin walks from Black Coral to the Great Barrow wearing his old uniform as penance, and a priestess tells him the Redeemer has chosen him as guardian of the pilgrim flock, which he angrily rejects. Endest Silann recalls the ancient catastrophe at the Temple of Mother Dark, when she forsook Anomander and all her children. Spinnock Durav oils his Hust-forged sword and visits the High Priestess of the Temple of Darkness before meeting the enormous priestess of the Redeemer, who hints the god may extend his compassion to the Tiste Andii. Kallor walks the prairie alone, at peace with his history of empires lost.
On page: Dassem Ultor, Nimander Golit, Clip, Skintick, Seerdomin, Endest Silann, Spinnock Durav, Salind, Kallor, Mappo Runt, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss·Mentioned: Anomander Rake, Phaed, Mother Dark
Chapter 5
Torvald Nom robs a wealthy estate with the aid of a stray cat and an amorous wife, relieving the strongbox of a fortune in gems and coins. Five-year-old Harllo lives in a cramped tenement with his disabled Uncle Bedek, exhausted Aunt Myrla, and vicious cousin Snell, sustained by visits from Gruntle. The historian Duiker burns his failed manuscript of the Chain of Dogs while Mallet discusses the ongoing hunt for the Assassins' Guild headquarters. Gaz, a fingerless brawler, is visited by a god in an alley who tells him his killings are sacrifices and commands him to continue. Rallick Nom re-enters the city and instructs his Guild contact Krute to change nothing. Iskaral Pust claims the Temple of Shadow and spars with High Priestess Sordiko Qualm. Mappo seeks passage through Burn's Path but the ritual fails. The Trygalle Trade Guild agrees to transport Mappo to Lether. Barathol Mekhar, Scillara, and Chaur settle into the city and are introduced to the Bridgeburners at K'rul's Bar after a drinking contest. At Baruk's estate, Crone examines a captive soul from the Crippled God's realm, and Vorcan steps through the wall to face the High Alchemist. Cutter nearly kills Rallick in the street before they recognise each other, and Cutter drags the wounded Rallick into the Phoenix Inn for a reunion with Kruppe. Torvald reconciles with his wife Tiserra and they plan to clear his debts.
On page: Torvald Nom, Harllo, Gruntle, Mallet, Rallick Nom, Iskaral Pust, Baruk, Crokus Younghand, Kruppe, Scorch, Leff, Barathol Mekhar, Scillara, Chaur, Picker, Blend, Antsy, Spite, Mogora, Mappo Runt, Vorcan·Mentioned: Coll, Stonny Menackis
Chapter 6
Traveller stands before an earthquake-formed inlet and encounters Shadowthrone and Cotillion with their Hounds, who provide supplies and urge him to continue his path to kill Hood. At Morsko, the Tiste Andii speak candidly about Clip's contempt for them, and Nimander Golit apologises for allowing them to become voiceless. Nimander and Skintick investigate the kelyk fields at night and are nearly overcome by the compulsion of the Dying God's pollen before Aranatha drags them to safety. Clip is left outside unprotected during the god's eruption and is found at dawn covered in gore, his eyes empty, something having been taken from him. The group departs in a stolen wagon for Bastion. A burst of power from Kurald Galain shakes every Tiste Andii in Black Coral; Anomander Rake tells Endest Silann the matter must fall to him but then accepts when Endest says he cannot, instructing him to do nothing and not be lost. At the Scour Tavern, the priestess Salind begs Seerdomin for help against Gradithan's thugs at the pilgrim camp, but he refuses. Spinnock Durav meets Salind outside and learns the Redeemer misses Seerdomin.
On page: Shadowthrone, Cotillion, Dassem Ultor, Nimander Golit, Skintick, Clip, Anomander Rake, Endest Silann, Seerdomin, Salind, Spinnock Durav, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss·Mentioned: Phaed
Book 2: Cold-Eyed Virtues
Chapter 7
Harllo slips out before dawn to collect dung on the hillside, where Snell follows him and strikes him unconscious with a sack of stolen coins before leaving him for dead. Mappo's blood-bathing ritual at the Temple of Burn fails three times due to the web of Ardatha claiming him. The Trygalle Trade Guild prepares for departure to Lether with Mappo, Gruntle signing on as a shareholder. Gorlas Vidikas, Shardan Lim, and Hanut Orr scheme to place a puppet on the Noble Council while Gorlas privately dismisses his allies. Challice contemplates her trapped existence. Gruntle confronts Stonny Menackis about the money Snell intercepts and her refusal to acknowledge Harllo, then resolves to earn a fortune with the Trygalle to buy the family a proper home. An old shepherd finds the battered Harllo alive and sells him to the iron mines, where the boy is destined to wake in darkness.
On page: Harllo, Gruntle, Stonny Menackis, Gorlas Vidikas, Challice, Scorch, Leff, Torvald Nom, Mappo Runt
Chapter 8
Two days behind Karsa Orlong, Traveller and Samar Dev ride north following the Skathandi kingdom's trail. Samar Dev tells Traveller about the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths and how Karsa ended the cycle, and Traveller insists the Crippled God's sword must be yielded or destroyed. The Captain of the Skathandi, sustained by river spirits in his body, watches as Karsa Orlong strides directly into the slave column and severs the central yoke with a single blow, freeing the slaves. The spirits flee the Captain, reopening his old wounds, and he dies. The wagon carrying Nimander Golit's group rolls through abandoned farms, gathering supplies left by the fleeing Dying God priests. Endest Silann broods over the decline of the Tiste Andii and recalls Anomander Rake granting him leave to visit a deep river resembling Dorssan Ryl. Spinnock Durav meets with Rake, who reflects on the Redeemer's passive absolution and suggests a man who refuses is needed to redress the imbalance. Spinnock visits the Temple of Darkness and the priestess Salind, then carries the fevered, delirious Salind from the pilgrim camp toward Black Coral for healing. Gradithan sends a lieutenant to follow and declares the Barrow under his control.
On page: Dassem Ultor, Samar Dev, Karsa Orlong, Endest Silann, Spinnock Durav, Anomander Rake, Salind, Gradithan, Nimander Golit, Silanah, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss·Mentioned: The Crippled God
Chapter 9
Nimander Golit contemplates rage and the nature of the Dying God as the group passes fields of staked corpses. Kallor mocks the Tiste Andii and their hope in Anomander Rake before the group discovers a Jaghut tower belonging to Gothos, who drugs them with tea and sends Nimander and Skintick into separate visions. Nimander encounters an Elder mason of the Azath trapped in a caldera of dragon blood, helps him build a tower, and frees him despite agonising injury. Skintick witnesses a vision of total annihilation and responds with laughter rather than despair. Desra waits outside while Kallor emerges alone claiming Gothos used the others. Karsa Orlong rejects the dying Skathandi Captain's offer of his kingdom, declaring slavery an abomination, then sets the carriage ablaze and commands the people to divide the loot before departing northward. Samar Dev and Traveller watch Karsa's distant pyre, and Traveller confesses he is frightened of the Toblakai.
On page: Nimander Golit, Skintick, Kallor, Karsa Orlong, Samar Dev, Dassem Ultor, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss·Mentioned: Endest Silann, Anomander Rake, Phaed
Chapter 10
Endest Silann walks through a rainforest to a dark river and finds Caladan Brood camped beside it. They share a meal and discuss the possibility of restitution for the Tiste Andii, a concept so vast it brings Endest to tears. Samar Dev and Traveller find the wreckage of a massive carriage and track Karsa Orlong to a knoll surrounded by dead Skathandi warriors. Samar angrily confronts Karsa for abandoning her, but he laughs and embraces her. Karsa declares his intent to ride north to Darujhistan, the city that defied the Malazan Empire, before eventually returning home to forge an army. The three ride out together, watched by a Great Raven. Salind awakens in Black Coral, healed by Tiste Andii priestesses summoned by Spinnock Durav. Seerdomin navigates collapsed corridors beneath Black Coral, kills conspirators plotting to drive out the Tiste Andii, and sets out to systematically eliminate the rest. Nimander Golit's group arrives at the eerie, abandoned city of Bastion, where they discover a crashed K'Chain Che'Malle mechanism and a well filled with corpses. The Great Raven Crone descends to Anomander Rake's keep, and Rake instructs her to summon Endest Silann home.
On page: Endest Silann, Samar Dev, Dassem Ultor, Karsa Orlong, Salind, Spinnock Durav, Seerdomin, Nimander Golit, Skintick, Kallor, Clip, Anomander Rake, Silanah, Caladan Brood, Crone, Aranatha·Mentioned: Mother Dark
Chapter 11
Young Harllo works as a mole in the mines, secretly visiting an entombed Imass called the Bone Miner in the depths. At Lady Varada's estate, Scorch and Leff meet the dangerous Seguleh renegades Madrun and Lazan Door, while their captain Torvald Nom is horrified to find himself commanding notorious killers. Kruppe visits Baruk and they discuss the fragile state of society and the subtle war waged by the wealthy against the poor. Barathol Mekhar and Chaur bluff a Guild intimidation attempt with a hollow Moranth cusser. Cutter wanders in a daze of guilt, Rallick Nom and Krute plot on rooftops, and Murillio comforts a weeping Stonny Menackis. As dusk settles, assassins gather on a rooftop to coordinate an assault on the Bridgeburners at K'rul's Bar. Picker spots the ambush from her office, and a bloody battle erupts. Mallet and Bluepearl are killed by the assassins. Barathol and Chaur arrive to save a wounded Blend, with Chaur crushing attackers bare-handed. The surviving Bridgeburners mourn their dead and acknowledge the Guild made a fatal mistake by leaving them alive. Cutter encounters Challice at a monument yard.
On page: Harllo, Scorch, Leff, Torvald Nom, Kruppe, Baruk, Barathol Mekhar, Chaur, Crokus Younghand, Rallick Nom, Murillio, Stonny Menackis, Picker, Blend, Antsy, Mallet, Scillara, Challice, Bluepearl
Chapter 12
Endest Silann recalls the ancient Kharkanas civil war, witnessing the three brothers Anomander, Andarist, and Silchas Ruin meeting to discuss alliances and betrayals. In the present, he sits with Caladan Brood at dawn as Crone arrives bearing Anomander Rake's summons. Seerdomin hunts down and decapitates the last conspirator, Harak, at the edge of Black Coral, then reflects on the psychological burden of fighting an unjust war. Salind suffers a crisis of faith, viewing the Redeemer's unconditional embrace as an abomination that lets criminals evade consequences, and resolves to demand answers rather than offer prayers. At the barrow, she is ambushed by Gradithan and forced to drink saemankelyk. Spinnock Durav discovers Salind missing and goes to drown his misery at the Scour, where a bloodied Seerdomin confesses to murdering eleven conspirators. Samar Dev evaluates whether Karsa Orlong has changed while riding with Traveller. Karsa finds the Hounds of Shadow alongside Shadowthrone and Cotillion, who find his goals aligned with theirs but warn him never to stand in Traveller's way. Anomander Rake temporarily removes Dragnipur and speaks with Endest Silann of their past and his burden. Seerdomin and the Redeemer discuss what the god wants from him while Salind dances in a drug-induced state.
On page: Endest Silann, Anomander Rake, Seerdomin, Salind, Gradithan, Spinnock Durav, Samar Dev, Karsa Orlong, Shadowthrone, Cotillion, Caladan Brood, Crone·Mentioned: Dassem Ultor, Silchas Ruin, Mother Dark
Book 3: To Die in the Now
Chapter 13
The Trygalle Trade Guild carriage battles through hordes of animated corpses in Hood's warren before landing on a tiny island. Gruntle glimpses an army of the dead marching in formation. Mappo watches Quell deal with his pain and guilt. Gruntle dreams himself into a jungle glade in tiger form, encountering proto-humans who ask for protection from a she-leopard soul rider. Within Dragnipur, Ditch is dragged by Draconus to the wagon's summit, where the blind Tiste Andii Kadaspala works on an intricate tattoo pattern, planning to use Ditch as the nexus of his creation. Kadaspala reveals he blinded himself after seeing what Rake did to his sister and Andarist. In Darujhistan, Rallick discusses the failing Assassins' Guild. Iskaral Pust meets Lady Envy. Cutter reflects on his affair with Challice. At K'rul's Bar, Picker and Antsy bury bodies in the cellar and discover twelve dead Seguleh in casks. Harllo is whipped in the mines while a T'lan Imass named Dev'ad arms himself, planning to claim an empty throne.
On page: Gruntle, Mappo Runt, Draconus, Rallick Nom, Iskaral Pust, Lady Envy, Crokus Younghand, Picker, Antsy, Harllo, Scillara, Barathol Mekhar, Stonny Menackis, Murillio, Apsal'ara, Mistress of Thieves, Ditch, Kadaspala·Mentioned: Anomander Rake, Challice
Chapter 14
Quell and Gruntle enter Hood's realm and find the dead assembled as a marching army. They meet a Seguleh commander, then Toc, Whiskeyjack (calling himself Iskar Jarak), and Brukhalian. Toc asks Gruntle to tell Trake "not long now" and warns the living to stay away. An undead dragon escapes through the portal as they depart. Traveller senses the dragon and tells Karsa and Samar Dev something is happening; they are shadowed by Great Ravens and Hounds of Shadow. Skintick recalls Andarist's death and questions whether Rake grieves. Endest Silann meets Rake in a deep cavern where Rake sets down Dragnipur, telling Endest he must hold what is coming. Seerdomin asks the Redeemer for help against Salind, but Itkovian refuses, insisting Seerdomin has "every choice in the world." Karsa meets Shadowthrone and Cotillion, who warn him a crown and throne await in Darujhistan. Karsa replies he will know when to turn aside, and the three find unexpected common ground in their contempt for civilisation's "acceptable levels of misery."
On page: Gruntle, Toc the Younger, Whiskeyjack, Dassem Ultor, Karsa Orlong, Samar Dev, Skintick, Anomander Rake, Endest Silann, Seerdomin, Salind, Shadowthrone, Cotillion, Nimander Golit, Clip, Mappo Runt, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss, Tulas Shorn
Chapter 15
Harllo and Bainisk mend their friendship in the mines. At K'rul's Bar, Blend recovers from her wounds while Scillara tends to her. Antsy and Picker head to the Azath House to contact Paran through the Deck of Dragons. Picker sees Paran amidst smoke and ruination - he warns her to tell the others to stay away from Darujhistan and to talk to Kruppe. Picker is attacked by a dark presence but saved by another force mentioning the torcs she once carried. Baruk visits the ghost Hinter and they discuss threats facing Darujhistan: Spite, Envy, the Crippled God's priest, and the question of Vorcan, whom Baruk now suspects killed the Cabal because she always wanted to. Fisher meets Envy as her lover. Torvald tells Tiserra of oddities at the Varada estate; she does a Deck reading pulling The City, the Rope, Knight of Darkness, and The Tyrant. Cutter and Challice continue their affair, both troubled by where it leads. Barathol punches out a Guild agent. Murillio searches for Harllo while Stonny sinks toward despair. Blend is healed but Picker remains in a coma.
On page: Harllo, Blend, Scillara, Picker, Antsy, Ganoes Paran, Baruk, Lady Envy, Torvald Nom, Crokus Younghand, Challice, Barathol Mekhar, Murillio, Stonny Menackis, Fisher kel Tath·Mentioned: Kruppe, Spite, Vorcan, Rallick Nom
Chapter 16
An undead dragon arrives at Kallor's camp and they discuss the Jaghut's war against Death itself - their greatest and only war, an impossible victory won in the heart of defeat. The dragon's words move Kallor to tears. Endest Silann recalls the coming of Light, the birth of Shadow, the knowing smile of Silchas Ruin as he walked to stand beside Scabandari, Andarist broken, and Rake left alone. Within Dragnipur, Draconus asks Apsal'ara to fight at his side but she refuses, choosing to face oblivion alone. She reflects that Rake understands Dragnipur better than its creator - the world within it must die, the greatest act of mercy and sacrifice. Draconus then breaks Ditch's spine so Kadaspala can use him as the nexus of the tattoo pattern. Skintick and Nimander discuss the journey while Kedeviss plans to confront Clip, who privately contemplates using the Tiste Andii to deliver justice upon every god and ascendant who wronged them. The Andii High Priestess heals a witch who came seeking help for Salind. Karsa rejoins Samar Dev and Traveller. The undead dragon Tulas Shorn sembles and tells Samar that Burn is sick from the Crippled God's pain. The Trygalle Trade Guild arrives at Reach of Woe.
On page: Kallor, Endest Silann, Draconus, Skintick, Nimander Golit, Clip, Karsa Orlong, Samar Dev, Dassem Ultor, Gruntle, Mappo Runt, Apsal'ara, Mistress of Thieves, Desra, Aranatha, Nenanda, Kedeviss, Ditch, Kadaspala, Tulas Shorn·Mentioned: Anomander Rake, Silchas Ruin, Salind, Silanah, The Crippled God